LOGISTICS MONITOR
We are a nation in a hurry. Actually, the world, just not India. Otherwise, the promise of delivering whatever one orders online “in 10 minutes” does not make sense. Mad rush, it is.
“What’s your problem?” asked my better half as the doorbell sang, and I opened it to collect two parcels from Blinkit, formerly Grofers.
She suddenly remembers some item that she forgot to order online earlier, and Blinkit is at her service bingo. Not once or twice daily. Umpteen times. Ten minutes is a stretch. They deliver in 20 minutes every time. My problem is that I have to collect such parcels as she is always busy with some chores. I am unable to concentrate on whatever I am busy with watching ‘Breaking Bad’ on Netflix (Five Seasons with at least 8-9 episodes each season).
Until recently, my better half was a big fan of Big Basket. No longer. She has no anti-Tata group feelings. Speed matters to her. Here Blinkit scores, according to her.
Blinkit politely declares that 80% of orders meet the 10-minute deadline. How do they perform this 10-minute miracle? The delivery tag, anticipating curious minds like mine, responds promptly: 1.5 minutes to pick; 0.5 minutes for billing; packing 1 minute; and seven minutes for delivery. Yes, it adds up to 10 minutes. Fantastic.
They have partner stores every two kilometres. Tying with millions of mom-and-pop stores is no easy task. They have no mother distribution center or satellite warehouse/DCs of their own in the process. Partner stores perform the dark store concept, perhaps. Groceries and vegetable delivery in such an incredibly tight delivery schedule is possible.
Zomato and Swiggy’s promise to serve even ready-to-eat food items within 10 minutes is dicey. The ordered food, pre-cooked, has to be reheated and parcelled out. Then delivery on the road. Safety concerns for delivery executives, rushing to meet delivery schedules under pressure created a ruckus, thus making these companies reduce their shortest delivery time USP noise a few decibels lower.
Undoubtedly, the world-in-a-hurry for anything and everything has opened up job opportunities for millions, branding them as “gig workers”. Is there job satisfaction for these gig workers given the stressful work schedule? The attrition rate does not positively say much about the job. Yet, these are jobs. Temporary perches perhaps until these gig workers find another job suiting their taste. How soon and will they be, are moot questions.
The job scenario is bleak with the big boys of India Inc clamouring for Industrial Revolution 4.0, signalling more automation or less workforce to post better top and bottom lines. It will remain so for how long, nobody knows. Jobless growth? Yes, indeed. However, the only area where the job prospects seem to be growing is the delivery side of the supply chain. In such a scenario, the protection of gig workers’ rights warrants attention.
“Can you pass on the toothpick?” I ask. The next moment, I notice my better half flipping open her mobile phone to order Blinkit. The 20-minute wait for the much-needed toothpick commences. Even today, we say, “Wait a second!” though we are aware that we mean multiples of a second!. Or the Nestle fame two minutes noodles! We are suckers for speed!
Main/Featured picture from Pixabay has been used for illustrative purpose only
Also read by the same author: Truck drivers’ tech phobia is universal. Technology is needed, yes, but please don’t overdo it – THE NEWS PORTER
